One of the first times I remember feeling utter hopelessness was on a pile of black dirt.
I was 8 years old, and my two brothers and I were tasked by our dad, who used to co-own and operate a small composting business, to pull weeds from the top. The pile towered at least 20 feet tall and stretched 200 feet long.
Baked in the early morning Minnesota sun, the top of the mound already felt like a seat heater on high. Some of the plants grew above my head — certainly above my brother’s, who was three years younger than me and more interested in playing with dirt than completing our task.
Dad gave us some water and told us to come down when we were done.
Looking at the job ahead was daunting. We were ill-prepared, under-resourced, frustrated with authority, distressed, thirsty and sweating. Hopeless.
Many of us can relate to a circumstance, past or present, that creates a similar sense of internal dread. More people are feeling this way about climate change.
That sentiment is coined as eco-grief or climate anxiety, defined by The Handbook of Climate Psychology as “heightened emotional, mental or somatic distress in response to dangerous changes in the climate system.”
One in 10 Americans experience anxiety because of climate change at least several days a week, according to Yale. Concern tends to be greater among young folks, Democrats and people living close to the worst impacts, although it’s not that cut
and dry.
Susan Clayton, a psychology professor at the College of Wooster, wrote in TIME that climate anxiety can threaten one’s ability to function. While it’s important to feel and acknowledge those negative emotions, she recommends balancing them with positive ones, like hope.
So that’s what I went looking for.
I strolled Pearl Street, polled people in the climate space and posed this question: What gives you hope about climate change?
The people who answered came from different walks of life: One person was touring CU Boulder with their kids; another recently exited homelessness; one was studying sociology as a graduate student.
Most people didn’t have hope to share. To me, that’s more reason to highlight those who did. Here’s what they had to say.
The following has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Natalie Nicholas, Longmont
A couple things that give me hope about climate change are different entities that are popping up around the Front Range to help promote sustainability through less waste and reusable packaging, especially in food and personal use items. Places like Nude Foods and the bulk food stores in Longmont and Loveland are setting really good examples. And while that might not be very realistic for people of all income levels, I think it does help promote awareness. Another thing that gives me hope is my generation and the younger generation focusing on efforts with renewable energies and even things like the electric vehicle movement.
Violet Michaelis, La Junta
I hope we will be able to adapt with the changes. Climate change is something that is inevitable. I want to see what the future holds for us in many different ways. Let’s all do what we can to make a positive difference and influence on this earthly journey.
Rachelle Koenig, Oswego, Illinois
The passion and focus of Gen Z on this issue and their willingness to call out what needs to be done.
Brigid Mark, Boulder
To hope is not naïve. As Rebecca Solnit writes, “Hope is an ax you break down doors with in an emergency… hope just means another world might be possible, not promised, not guaranteed…” Hope is not feelings of bubbly positivity and a certainty that everything will be okay. Hope is created, forged through our collective action.
Alan Lopez, Boulder
The fact that people open their minds to the change that is happening around them. Be the change you want to see to heal the planet.
Anthony Lucero, Boulder
My hope about climate change is that people will see we are destroying the earth before it’s too late.
Christian Hermann, Niwot
I’m constantly inspired by all of the positive climate stories coming out of Boulder County. Here are a few recent examples:
- Heat pump installations have doubled countywide, and our grid is becoming cleaner each day.
- Boulder County’s solar co-op flew past its membership goals in record time.
- Jack’s Solar Garden is combining solar and farming to lead the nation in agrivoltaics research.
- Boulder Mushroom is making global headlines by using fungi to fight wildfires.
- Local restaurants are funding regenerative projects on over a dozen nearby farms through Zero Foodprint.
- Marshall Fire survivors are setting records by rebuilding energy-efficient homes.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. So many of our neighbors are redefining what’s possible in the climate space.
Resources to help cope with feelings of climate anxiety:
The All We Can Save Project, a climate nonprofit, helps organize groups for deeper dialogue about climate change. Learn and read about tips for caring and healing.
Climate Emotions Conversation, a free small group sharing and listening session organized by climate activist and psychologist Margaret Klen Salamon.
Read about what psychologist Carly Dober tells her clients with climate grief in The Guardian.
Read Boulder Weekly reporter Kaylee Harter’s conversation with an ecopsychologist and former NCAR scientist about combating feelings of helplessness.
